A Weekend of Thanksgiving!

There was a lot of activity at our church yesterday. Courtney Beach and friends relaxed in the northeast fellowship room downstairs, and they scrap-booked and had a "spa day," complete with facials and lotions and such.

In the afternoon, we celebrated the 80th birthdays of two of our dear church family members: Lucille McCaslin and Erla Thompson. It was such a delight to see so many family and friends gathered together to rejoice at these ladies' legacy of love. The fellowship hall was alive with the energy that is always present when there is a grouping of generations, i.e., the wonderful sound of children playing and adults laughing and recounting stories.

Today we had a wonderful morning of worship and fellowship. Pastor Charles and the children in the "Children's Time" had a great discussion about Thanksgiving and what it really means. Afterwards some of the Youth Group gathered in our beautifully remodeled kitchen to make "Gift in a Jar" cookie mixes for them to sell at the upcoming Christmas Bazaar.

What a wonderful weekend of thanksgiving to God for the many blessings he has bestowed on us! Thank you, Heavenly Father, for loving us SO much!

"Saint Beau" and His Merry Band of Young Fellows...

God bless "St. Beau!" He faithfully and courageously set forth from the church this afternoon with five young stalwart fellows... bound for Denver and the Dare 2 Share conference! Our prayers sent them forth. We know that God is in their midst. We look forward to hearing all about their adventure, upon their return on the morrow!

P.S. For more info about this conference, you can go to this website: http://www.dare2share.org/denver .

AND to see their schedule, you can go to

http://media.dare2share.org/pdf/weekendschedule.pdf .

Fair Trade Program Begins at FUMC!

The FUMC Fair Trade - Equal Exchange Program began today, with the arrival of the first shipment of teas, coffees, chocolates and travel hot drink mugs!

Stop by at the church office, and see what is in store for you!

It is a justice issue.... come and learn more about it all!

Praise be to God!!!

To read more about this program which is sponsored by the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), you can go to this webpage:

http://www.equalexchange.com/umcor .

Wow: What a Difference 3 Months Makes!

The first picture was taken in our church kitchen in August.
The second picture was taken today, November 5th. What a difference!

Kitchen Renovation News

Here are some pictures that were taken today in our church kitchen. Wow! Thanks so much, John Eastman, for doing such an awesome job of the kitchen renovation project! We are so thankful for your attention to detail!

Thanks so much, Bea Dinkel and Marilee Rowan, for championing this project! Our church family is so grateful for all that you have done to make the vision a reality: Praise be to God!!!

A Wonderful Sunday in Sidney, Nebraska!

What a wonderful Sunday was today! It was All Saints Sunday, a day when we remember those special people who have gone before us... who impacted our lives in so many special ways! Names were announced; candles were lit; the bell was sounded; we remembered and gave thanks!

The first picture shows Rilla Draper reading the Scriptures at the 8:00 a.m. worship service. Confirmation class member Cody Armbruster did a fine job assisting Pastor Charles with communion at the 8:00 a.m. service.

At the 10:00 a.m. worship service, the congregation presented Gerald Raines with a prayer shawl, along with our prayers and thanks to God for the gift that is Gerald in our midst!

The next picture shows some of the other confirmation class members assisting in the All Saints Remembrance Service at the 10:00 a.m. service.

The last picture shows Courtney Beach with the prayer shawl that she will be sending to her dear friend John, who is dealing with some health issues right now. Request prayers for him.

Praise God for a wonderful church family who takes time to remember the saints who have gone on before us... for faithful servants who are in service to one another... and for friends who care enough to send love and prayers to others, both far and near!

Care Package on its Way to Our Missionary!

Yesterday, Belinda Alkula and Marilyn Wiles got together at the church and prepared the care package for Marilyn's niece Debarrah Prentice.

All the items that church members lovingly donated were carefully packed and itemized so the customs form could be accuarately completed.

This picture shows Marilyn with the completed package. It was taken to the Post Office, and now it is on its way. Considering it is going all the way to Zimbabwe, Africa, the postage cost of $113.70 seems like a bargain. (Imagine having to buy an airline ticket to get it there!)

It should get to Debarrah sometime during the week before Thanksgiving! Our plan is to send another package just after Thanksgiving, so it will get to her before Christmas.

Praise be to God for faithful folks who demonstrate gracious generosity to those around them, both near and far... even as far as Africa!

Sponsoring a Missionary

Marilyn Wiles’ niece, Debbie Prentice, is a teacher at Africa University, which is located 17 km outside Mutare, Zimbabwe's third largest city. It is a private, Pan-African and United Methodist-Related institution.

At today's 10:00 a.m. worship service, we dedicated a prayer shawl for Debbie. The shawl was placed over Marilyn's shoulders, and Pastor Charles and members of the Prayer Shawl Ministry Team prayed over it.

We plan to mail it to Debbie later this week, along with some other items from home which are either very expensive in Zimbabwe or are simply not available there. We don't know how long it will take for these things to reach her. Hopefully they will arrive by Thanksgiving.

If other church members or FUMC Friends would like to contribute toward the "love and care" shipments to this missionary, please take them to the church office between now and November 25th.

Our idea is to send two shipments. The first will go out later this week, so she might receive it by Thanksgiving. At the November 25th worship services, we will dedicate more of these items and send them off to her so that, hopefully, she will recieve them by Christmas.

... The List ...

Large bottle of Tums

Batteries: AA, AAA, C

Instant Oatmeal

Cup of Soup
Scouring Pads

Vanilla

Wet Ones

Red Pencils
Hand Lotion

Hair Color (medium golden brown Loreal` Preference)
Cloth Napkins, Cloth Handkerchiefs, Cloth Placemats

India Children's Choir Concert

A very appreciative growd gathered in the FUMC sanctuary on Friday to hear the much anticipated concert by the India Children's Choir. The children entered in colorful outfits and put on a really great program. The music told the story about how Christianity came to their part of India in 1910.

We are so blessed to have had the choir and their leaders with us since Thursday!!!

Friday: Visit to Cabela's!

What a great day was yesterday!

The wonderful people at Cabela's made our visitors from India so very welcome!
They were given a great tour all around the store, got to try some of their fudge AND were given Cabela's hats, which they have proudly worn ever since!

Praise be to God for this wonderful experience for our visitors!!!

India Children's Choir: Concert Tonight!

Reports are in: The children and their host families had a great night together last night!

The children had school work to do today. They had a great lunch down in the fellowship hall. And afterwards, they went outside for some fresh air, some soccer and some fun. They found a good spot behind the parsonage.

Pastor arranged for them to have THE TOUR at Cabela's at 3:00 this afternoon. They should have loads of fun then!

We are so excited about their concert tonight at 7:00 p.m.! Thank you, God, for this wonderful visit!!!

India Children's Choir is HERE!

The India Children's Choir is HERE! Just after they arrived, most of the kids ran around and played outside (by their bus which is taking them all around the USA). It makes sense that they needed to expend some of their pent up energy. They probably were tired of sitting on the bus.

They say the youngest child is six. I met her; she turns seven this Saturday. All of them are adorable children. They began their USA tour in January. One of the sponsors said that it is VERY competitive to get a spot on the tour! Hundreds of children audition for the opportunity to participate in this program! It must be so difficult for parents to let their children leave home for ten months, but they know what an amazing opportunity it is for them!

We had a fabulous dinner: All thanks to the Outreach Ministry Team and volunteers. The host families were there to enjoy dinner with "their children." There was a lot of energy in the fellowship hall tonight! Everyone seemed to be joy-filled about the cultural exchange.

Praise be to God for such faithful folks who are willing to try new experiences!!!

UMW Evening Circle - October 17th

The Evening Circle of the United Methodist Women (UMW) met Wednesday night at the church for their first meeting of their new year.

Arlene Christenson baked a fabulous cake (from scratch)! It was so very good! And then she led our business meeting.

Belinda Alkula provided the pumpkin devotional. And then she gave a talk about some of her travels along life's journey. "Oh, the Places You Will God," as the Dr. Seuss book is titled. That was the title of her talk.

The fellowship was wonderful; the food was delicious; and we celebrated a great time together! Praise be to God!!!

FUMC Staff Take Pastor Out to Lunch for Boss' Day

Tuesday, October 16th was Boss' Day. The wonderful staff at FUMC decided to take Pastor Charles out to lunch at the Memorial Hospital's Ladies Auxillary Bazaar Lunch and Craft Show, which was held at the Elks Lodge downtown.

They even invited Belinda to tag along with them, which was very nice, indeed.

What fun! It was great to see so many folks in attendance. The atmosphere was electric... folks seemed to be having so much fun, visiting with one another and enjoying all that great food they served for lunch. Yum; yum; yum!!! Afterwards, we were able to whirl around and see all the vendors' tables; they had some great things for sale!

Thanks so much for a delightful "get-away" lunch which was both fun and also, at the same time, supporting the community.

Praise be to God for loving folks who enjoy spending time with one another!

Over 700 Attend Tucker Jenkins' Funeral

Folks kept lining up, waiting to get into the church. The winds were blowing, but no one seemed to be in a hurry. The funeral started a little late because so many people had to be seated. The sanctuary was filled; the chapel was filled. Folks were in the foyer and down in the fellowship hall.

Bill Dinkel did an exemplary job as our Sound Booth Technician! He had a lot to do: Operate the sound level on all the mikes, speakers in both the sanctuary and the chapel, play a musical CD at just the right time (as background music for the soloist), and play a movie/DVD of childhood pictures of Tucker, with music in the background ... at the conclusion of the service.

Carolyn Hays was amazing; she played the music before, during and after the service. She played a really long time, since after the service, a long line formed to take turns to extend sympathies, handshakes and hugs to Tucker's family.

Thanks to Margaret Sprenger who orchestrated the meal afterwards (in spite of the fact that the church's kitchen is not functioning right now). Her Outreach Ministry Team and others did a great job of providing delicious, comforting food for family and friends!

Thanks to the men and women of the church who helped to clean, vacuum... move tables and chairs... to prepare the church for this funeral. There was a lot to do, but God's faithful servants offered what they could to make it all work... and work well. Thank you, God, for people who partake in such an important ministry of Your Church!!!

Last Sunday at FUMC

Another wonderful Sunday at First United Methodist Church in Sidney, Nebraska! At the early service, we so enjoyed Nan Mull's lovely music, and we appreciated Cody Armbruster for his service as our PowerPoint Technician!

At the later service, Lisa Bickford presented Bibles to our third-graders. It was wonderful to see their energy and enthusiasm! And we thank Lisa for her service as our Christian Education Superintendent: She really is "SUPER!"

And... Janet Rosenbaum gave the children of our church (both younger and older...) another wonderful lesson for us to ponder and to take into our hearts. Thanks so much, Janet!

Praise be to God for faithful servants who love the Lord and who give of themselves and their talents!!!

Yesterday A United Methodist Church-Sponsored Missionary Came to See Us!

Yesterday we were visited by Janet Lewis who is a United Methodist Church-sponsored missionary in Palestine. She gave a very informative talk to the United Methodist Women's Group at the church.

After a time of refreshments, we gathered in the Prayer Room to present Janet with one of our prayer shawls, along with prayers for safe travel and continued success in her ministry. Janet really was touched by the gesture!

Last night, she stayed with Pastor Charles & Belinda in the parsonage. After so much time on the road she appreciated sleeping in a home for a change!!

As the hymn goes, "Whom Shall I Send? .... It is I, Lord!"

Praise be to God for faith-filled folks who are willing to go where God calls them to go!

Request Prayers for Our Missionaries' Trip to Shiprock, NM

Right now, church members Bill and Bea Dinkel and the Balfour's are on their way south, headed for the Indian reservation at Shiprock, New Mexico.

They are taking two trailers loaded with clothing and various items to the thrift shop on the reservation.

Many thanks to Bob Balfour for volunteering to drive the other trailer down this week. Our prayers were answered when he stepped forward, saying that he would go too!

And praise be to God.... another two people said they could help with driving down there... for future mission trips there! Praise God for loving folks who are willing to give of their time and energy to do things for other people!!!

Last Day of the Church Rummage Sale: Whew!

We had a terrific last day to the Fall 07 Rummage Sale!

We had a steady stream of last-day customers. AND we had some wonderful volunteers from the church to help!

Thanks to all of you who gave your time and energy and commitment to getting the job done today!

Marilee Rowan and Bea Dinkel said they were overwhelmed by the response from folks who turned out today, especially those who helped with the BIG job of packing up all the leftovers from the sale and loading the boxes into the trailer which will be headed for the Indian reservation's thrift shop at Shiprock, New Mexico, later this week!

Thank you, Ms. Martha, for the warm-from-the-oven treat you brough for all of us to enjoy and to keep our energy and our spirits UP!

Thanks to the good Lord above and all his faithful servants below... for a wonderful day of service, fun and fellowship!!!